Nicholas DiPreta
4/25/11
Throughout the spectrums of time adversity has elicited talents in people which in times
of prosperity would have remained dormant. Adversity is the cocoon of the caterpillar of
normality that causes the ordinary being to transform into something much more extraordinary;
the butterfly of triumph, of victory, and of fruition. In the Lord of the Rings Trilogy, by J.R.R.
Tolkein, an eclectically chosen crew of unlikely heroes transform from subtle ignominy into men
of great altruism, dexterity, and bravery in the face of the evil powers of Middle Earth. In The
Grapes of Wrath, by John Steinbeck, several characters undergo transformations from people of
simple-minded selfishness, into grand-thinking philanthropy in the throes of big business
tycoons, the dust bowl, and the great depression.
In Tolkein’s Lord of the Rings, the fellowship of the ring is forged to destroy the essence
of evil in the world: the ring of the Dark Lord Sauron. The motley fellowship encounters evil
after evil, constantly tempted by the overwhelmingly evil power of the ring. As the trilogy
progresses, each character develops from their originally parochial views to a vision on a much
grander scale. Frodo and Sam, measly hobbits, realize that they must destroy the ring not just for
their own sake, or for the sake of their home country “The Shire”, but for the very sake of the
world, their name and their honor. Frodo and Sam transform from “Halflings” too scared to
leave their homeland, into men who are willing to trek through the Orc ridden Middle-Earth,
risking life and limb for the greater cause. Although at first tempted to steal the ring from Frodo,
Boromir too undergoes a wild transformation. Boromir dies saving Merry and Pippin in an Orc
attack, giving up his future throne as the king of Gondor to his younger father; all for the greater
good. In the face of adversity, these men (and hobbits), develop attributes of honest nobility that
otherwise would never have been realized.
Steinbeck’s Grapes of Wrath tracks transformations of epic proportions. As the Joads
travel cross country, Rose of Sharon transforms from the trite, stereotypical over reactive
expectant mother into the saintly, otherworldly figure in the last scene of the novel. Connie’s
abandonment and her baby’s still birth make Rose of Sharon a stronger and more maternal
person. Tom begins the novel living the philosophy of a day to day man. He lives every day like
it’s all that matters, and leaves the future to others. Tom, in the face of said adversities,
transforms from his formerly helpless self, into a man committed to bettering the future. Tom
assumes the role of Jim Casey’s unlikely disciple, and eventually devotes his life to a course of
public action. After reaching the nadir of their existence, both Rose of Sharon and Tom Joad
transform into respectable and honorable people.
Undoubtedly, adversity makes some biologically predetermined and innate improbability
a probability. Even today in pop culture, such stories and lore are popular. Icons like Lance
Armstrong and Helen Keller serve as a constant reminder of this principle. Adversity brings out
the most undoubtedly heroic qualities in man.